Yesterday (February 23) I attended a Preparatory meeting for the 2009 High-level Segment of the UN Economic and Social Council on the theme of Philanthropy and Global Public Health. The meeting explored collaborative opportunities in advancing progress in maternal and girls' health and neglected tropical diseases. The aim was to share best practices and lessons learned and to build new innovative partnerships and alliances to address the Millennium Development Goals. Links to websites of co-convenors of the meeting are available.
It was brought out that half a million women die annually of consequences of childbirth, many from postpartum hemorrhage. That number hasn't changed in a decade or two (but denotes some progress, as the global population has increased). Another 300 million are debilitated by childbirth. The statistics are horrifying; young women, aged 19 and below, are particularly vulnerable.
Excellent papers were prepared before the event, and are available on the UN ECOSOC Website:
Background note:
Leadership for Health: Harnessing Business Skills with Social Needs
Issues note on Improving the Health Outcomes of Women and Girls
and
Issue note on Raising the Profile of Neglected Tropical Diseases
A UN webcast of the event is available. Look for the February 23 Special Event.
President Bill Clinton synthesized the meeting, giving a well-received keynote closing address in which he offered his ideas about the direction of philanthropy in the current tough economic situation globally. His remarks start at about 2 hours 48 minutes and I encourage you to watch.
Showing posts with label MDGs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MDGs. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Obama embraces MDGs
I believe that it is vital for America to have a positive voice in the world, and that working with the United Nations and entire UN System can facilitate important international achievements. The global economic crisis, climate change, the increasing need for renewable energy and sustainable development, nuclear proliferation, worldwide poverty where a billion still live on less than $1 a day -- can only be solved with worldwide cooperation. With good political leadership and through partnership, we can make a major difference in the world we leave to our children. We can set important goals, and work together to meet them. Good scientific and technological research, strengthened education of our children, conservation, investment in the future and imagination will be stimulated by such leadership.
During the High-Level Segment of the UN General Assembly, Senator John McCain and his running mate visited the UN to meet world leaders. Despite this high-profile visit, McCain's policies seem to side-step the United Nations itself, and focus instead on bringing together only "democracies." Now, just a month before the presidential election, I am asking our readers to write to Senator McCain to ask him to support the United Nations, the UN MDGs, and to set forth a coherent policy that will give voters an understanding of his position and his global vision.
By contrast, in a speech to the Clinton Global Initiative on September 25, 2008, Senator Barack Obama embraced the UN Millennium Development Goals with the following statement:
"We all have a stake in reducing poverty. There is suffering across the globe that doesn’t need to be tolerated in the 21st century. And it leads to pockets of instability that provide fertile breeding grounds for threats like terror and the smuggling of deadly weapons that cannot be contained by the drawing of a border or the distance of an ocean. These aren’t simply disconnected corners of an interconnected world. That is why the second commitment that I will make is embracing the Millennium Development Goals, which aim to cut extreme poverty in half by 2015."
That said, I heard Senator Obama in a televised speech state that his plans for foreign assistance may need to be spread out over several years, because of the current economic crisis.
It is important to stay informed about the candidates' attitudes and policies toward global issues and their vision of the role of the UN. Sen. Obama has answered questions submitted to him by UNA-USA and the Better World Fund; you can see his replies here: http://www.unausa.org/site/pp.asp?c=fvKRI8MPJpF&b=3879851
Sen. McCain has not responded, but perhaps with encouragement from the public, he, or perhaps his running mate, would reply. It's time to press for this and to help American citizens understand the candidate's views related to the UN in this important election.
During the High-Level Segment of the UN General Assembly, Senator John McCain and his running mate visited the UN to meet world leaders. Despite this high-profile visit, McCain's policies seem to side-step the United Nations itself, and focus instead on bringing together only "democracies." Now, just a month before the presidential election, I am asking our readers to write to Senator McCain to ask him to support the United Nations, the UN MDGs, and to set forth a coherent policy that will give voters an understanding of his position and his global vision.
By contrast, in a speech to the Clinton Global Initiative on September 25, 2008, Senator Barack Obama embraced the UN Millennium Development Goals with the following statement:
"We all have a stake in reducing poverty. There is suffering across the globe that doesn’t need to be tolerated in the 21st century. And it leads to pockets of instability that provide fertile breeding grounds for threats like terror and the smuggling of deadly weapons that cannot be contained by the drawing of a border or the distance of an ocean. These aren’t simply disconnected corners of an interconnected world. That is why the second commitment that I will make is embracing the Millennium Development Goals, which aim to cut extreme poverty in half by 2015."
That said, I heard Senator Obama in a televised speech state that his plans for foreign assistance may need to be spread out over several years, because of the current economic crisis.
It is important to stay informed about the candidates' attitudes and policies toward global issues and their vision of the role of the UN. Sen. Obama has answered questions submitted to him by UNA-USA and the Better World Fund; you can see his replies here: http://www.unausa.org/site/pp.asp?c=fvKRI8MPJpF&b=3879851
Sen. McCain has not responded, but perhaps with encouragement from the public, he, or perhaps his running mate, would reply. It's time to press for this and to help American citizens understand the candidate's views related to the UN in this important election.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
2008 Members Day at the UN
Riley McMahon, of UNA-USA HQ, has announced that 2008 Members’ Day at the United Nations will take place on Saturday, April 5, 2008 from 1:00–5:30 pm.
Members must register by March 21, 2008.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has set ambitious goals for the UN in 2008 to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues, both new and old. This year brings two significant milestones for the UN: 2008 is the midway point for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the sixty year anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While the UN will use these milestones to direct much of its work, a range of ongoing issues have to be addressed.
The United Nations Association of the USA invites its members from around the country to United Nations headquarters in New York for a members-only event. This FREE annual event is a unique opportunity for our members to learn more about the work of the UN from those who carry out the organization’s unique mission to confront the global challenges facing the world today.
Discussion Topics
The UN’s Goals for 2008
Climate Change
Human Rights
The Millennium Development Goals
Register online at www.unausa.org/MembersDay2008 by March 21, 2008.
Members must register by March 21, 2008.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has set ambitious goals for the UN in 2008 to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues, both new and old. This year brings two significant milestones for the UN: 2008 is the midway point for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the sixty year anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While the UN will use these milestones to direct much of its work, a range of ongoing issues have to be addressed.
The United Nations Association of the USA invites its members from around the country to United Nations headquarters in New York for a members-only event. This FREE annual event is a unique opportunity for our members to learn more about the work of the UN from those who carry out the organization’s unique mission to confront the global challenges facing the world today.
Discussion Topics
The UN’s Goals for 2008
Climate Change
Human Rights
The Millennium Development Goals
Register online at www.unausa.org/MembersDay2008 by March 21, 2008.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
UNA's Mission in 2008
The UN and the world are facing immense challenges, including the recent tragic assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan. Conflicts in Darfur, Iraq, the Middle East, Eastern Congo and other areas of the world persist. Global warming and the enormous growing gaps between the super rich and the middle class and the poor challenge everyone, especially ordinary citizens. Poverty and hunger diminish whenever funds diverted to war and arms decrease, and decreasing small arms as well as nuclear stockpiles is vital. The UN Millennium Development Goals remain laudable, and with adequate sense of purpose by the international community and ordinary citizens, can yet be achieved.
The United Nations Association of the USA and the Southern NY State Division and the chapters it serves have roles to play in educating the American people about these issues, and about the importance of the United Nations in facing them. It is important to focus on membership, on outreach, on publicity and on an "each one bring one" attitude. Development and building of partnerships with NGOs, organizations and businesses are one way to proceed. The generation represented by YPIC, and those involved in Model UNs and Student Alliances are essential to building a broad understanding of the United Nations in this country.
As UNA-USA members we need to support the United Nations as an important home and a tool for building international consensus. We need to ask political candidates who are running for office in the US in 2008 to explain their attitudes and positions toward the UN. Bhutto's assassination highlighted the need for leadership by the President of the US on global issues and revealed the presidential candidates' strengths and weaknesses in this sphere.
There is much to do during 2008, and we need to build coalitions, write editorials, and otherwise reach out to publicize the value of the UN to the American public and the world.
Best wishes to all for a productive and peace-building New Year.
The United Nations Association of the USA and the Southern NY State Division and the chapters it serves have roles to play in educating the American people about these issues, and about the importance of the United Nations in facing them. It is important to focus on membership, on outreach, on publicity and on an "each one bring one" attitude. Development and building of partnerships with NGOs, organizations and businesses are one way to proceed. The generation represented by YPIC, and those involved in Model UNs and Student Alliances are essential to building a broad understanding of the United Nations in this country.
As UNA-USA members we need to support the United Nations as an important home and a tool for building international consensus. We need to ask political candidates who are running for office in the US in 2008 to explain their attitudes and positions toward the UN. Bhutto's assassination highlighted the need for leadership by the President of the US on global issues and revealed the presidential candidates' strengths and weaknesses in this sphere.
There is much to do during 2008, and we need to build coalitions, write editorials, and otherwise reach out to publicize the value of the UN to the American public and the world.
Best wishes to all for a productive and peace-building New Year.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
UN Millennium Development Goals Awards
A September 12, 2007 press conference and luncheon launched the MDG Awards Festival and Telecast event at the UN. Grammy Awards producer Nile Rodgers presented a special crystal statue symbolizing the Awards to Her Excellency, Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa of Bahrain, the President of the 61st UN General Assembly, in view of her work to promote achievement of the MDGs.
The Permanent Missions of Madagascar, the Dominican Republic and other UN Member States, Offices and Agencies of the UN, and the Public-Private Alliance Foundation are supporting this event. An Awards Selection Panel of Experts and a Distinguished Panel of Judges will determine winners.
Winners will be selected for their actions toward promoting the eight MDGs, with a special category for programs that work with more than a single MDG. Corporations, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, schools, higher-education institutions, intergovernmental organizations, business and professional associations and individuals are all encouraged to apply. For the application form and more information, see: http://www.un-mdgawards.org/
We encourage Westchester County individuals, organizations, schools, colleges, corporations, NGOs to apply!
The Permanent Missions of Madagascar, the Dominican Republic and other UN Member States, Offices and Agencies of the UN, and the Public-Private Alliance Foundation are supporting this event. An Awards Selection Panel of Experts and a Distinguished Panel of Judges will determine winners.
Winners will be selected for their actions toward promoting the eight MDGs, with a special category for programs that work with more than a single MDG. Corporations, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, schools, higher-education institutions, intergovernmental organizations, business and professional associations and individuals are all encouraged to apply. For the application form and more information, see: http://www.un-mdgawards.org/
We encourage Westchester County individuals, organizations, schools, colleges, corporations, NGOs to apply!
Monday, October 1, 2007
High Schools help distribute Going Global
A big thank you from the UNA Westchester Chapter
Westchester Teachers Janet O'Toole, one of the leaders of the UNA Student Alliance at Walter Panas High School, and Demetrios Mihailidis (Mr. M.), social studies teacher working with the 9th Grade Academy at Mt. Vernon High School, are delivering Going Global with the UN videos to their local stations (Yorktown Cablevision and Mt. Vernon). This saves the Chapter extra miles, and puts videos not being shown in a given time period to use in the classroom.
The first eight videos of Going Global Season III are new, with the first one covering the UN in 2006, and some short spots. The next five are interviews with the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, Executive Director of the Public-Private Alliance Foundation, the UN focal point of Human Influenza and Avian Flu, the Executive Director of the UN Fund for International Partnerships, the Vice President for Education of UNA-USA and an intern working on Model UN and Global Classrooms, and the Director of the New York Office of Sport for Peace and Development. These are followed by a 2007 UNICEF report on the State of the World's Children, and excerpts from The Century Foundation's February 2007 conference on Weapons Threats and International Security.
The next 17 videos depict the UN Millennium Development Goals, with stories from around the world. These are repeated from last year's Season II, to give widest possible coverage to the importance of work toward meeting the MDGs.
Monday, September 17, 2007
GOING GLOBAL VIDEOS SEASON THREE
A “Must See”
Season Three – Schedule and Content
October 2007 through March 2008
produced by the United Nations Association of the USA Westchester Chapter.
For further information: e-mail: unausa@stratdev.com or visit: www.stratdev.com/UNA-USA/
Or www.unawestchester (after October 1) or call: 914-478-3450.
2006 STATE OF THE UN, AND VIDEOS FROM GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
Week 1 - Episode 53: The first half of this episode reviews United Nations progress, successes as well as issues that were addressed in 2006. The second half focuses on four different stories: (a) highlighting issues Bahraini women face in seeking political positions; (b) China Population Report 2007, with a focus on urbanization; (c) how the impact of global warming in polar regions affects the rest of the world; and (d) how the Alliance of Civilizations came about and its goals and strategies for reducing tensions among different societies.
The next five videos in this season of Going Global with the UN are interviews conducted by Bill Miller from the United Nations Association of Kentucky, on the series "Global Connections," which is filmed at the United Nations in cooperation with UN TV.
Week 2 - Episode 54: Global Connections host Bill Miller speaks with the Executive Director of the Public-Private Alliance Foundation, Dr. David Stillman and Ambassador Francis Lorenzo from the Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations about the United Nation Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), highlighting the examples of progress made in the Dominican Republic. Ambassador Lorenzo and Dr. Stillman speak to the importance of cooperation between the UN and host countries. Stillman speaks on the work of the Public-Private Alliance in encouraging partnerships for development and its focus countries of Madagascar and the Dominican Republic.
Week 3 - Episode 55: In an interview with Global Connections host Bill Miller, Dr. David Nabarro, the UN System Senior Coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza addresses issues surrounding the possibility of an avian influenza outbreak both in a local and global contexts, and the relationships with human influenza. Dr. Nabarro speaks about the potential for an outbreak to occur, and what sort of precautionary plans the UN has for dealing with such an occurrence, such as with issues of livestock and animal rearing. He also talks about how the UN plans to get control of the situation if an outbreak were to transpire.
Week 4 - Episode 56: Dr. Lucia Rodriguez, the Vice President for Education at the United Nations Association – USA, and Elizabeth Scarinci, intern at UNA – USA speak with Global Connections host Bill Miller about the Model UN and Global Classroom program from an organizational and a student perspective. Dr. Rodriguez discusses the Model UN program and how it helps students become more aware of world issues and become global citizens. Ms. Scarinci speaks about what it is like to participate in such a program, what she has learned, and how it has helped give her a clear focus for her college and career goals.
Week 5 - Episode 57: Global Connections host Bill Miller interviews Dr. Djibril Diallo, the Director of the United Nations New York Office of Sport for Development and Peace about this unique approach the UN is taking to help combat issues of illiteracy, poverty and hunger. Dr. Diallo comments on the role sports have in development and how communities can use sports and physical education to help further their economic development and to tackle issues of gender inequality. In addition, Dr. Diallo speaks about how important partnerships between the UN, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector are to the success of this innovative approach to development.
Week 6 - Episode 58: Amir Dossal, the Executive Director of the UN Fund for International Partnerships speaks with Global Connections host Bill Miller about his work in promoting partnerships in development work between the public and private sector. Mr. Dossal stresses the importance of these relationships and how it positively benefits countries as well as how collaboration between groups focuses attention on dealing with issues affecting US citizens and others around the world.
Week 7 - Episode 59: This episode profiles the UNICEF Report on the State of the World’s Children in ten different countries; Iran, Romania, Chad, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Brazil, USA. Djibouti and Madagascar. It gives viewers snapshots from each country into how the health of children is inextricably linked to that of their mothers and others in the community, thereby showing how important it is to consider these issues in development.
Week 8 - Episode 60: The program analyzes the key countries with nuclear weapons and focuses on how we can reach a global disarmament without repeating any past atrocities.
THE UN MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDGS) -- INTRODUCTION
Week 9 - Introduction: The MDGs: Dream or Reality? Also: UNDP MDGs. (Episode 31)
Week 10: MDGs: – Albania: Roadmap to 2015. Also: Too Brief a Child: Voices of Married Adolescents (Episode 32)
MDG Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger
Week 11: Helping Ourselves. The program looks at two projects that are helping Indian communities move out of poverty. Also: Feeding Schoolchildren in Rwanda. (Episode 33)
Week 12: Yemeni Futures. The program asks what is being done to address the fundamental needs of the Yemeni people, and achievements since the unification in 1990 to raise the quality of their lives. Also: Millennium Village in Malawi (Episode 34)
Week 13: Central African Republic: Silent Crisis. The country is on the verge of complete collapse. It is one of the least developed countries in the world and one of the poorest. 13 per cent of children die in infancy and only a third of the population has access to safe drinking water. (Episode 35)
Week 14: The Angle of Hunger. The documentary features FAO’s field work in the Peruvian Andes and the Ethiopian Highlands and explores why a disproportionate number of mountain dwellers experience periods of hunger and food insecurity. (Episode 36)
MDG Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education
Week 15: Achieve Universal Primary Education. Two approaches to improving the lives of poor people -- one through education, as in the Shilmundi project in Bangladesh, the other through "community-driven development" in Indonesia. Also: Colombia - Medellin Girls; and Nepal - Welcome to School. (Episode 37)
Week 16: Educating Yaprak. Education for children, especially girls, in Turkey. Also: 10 Ways to change the world with children. (Episode 38)
MDG Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
Week 17: Las Borregeras. An IFAD-supported project in Mexico helps a women’s group set up a sheep farm. Also: Agents of change 2005: The 1995 Beijing Women’s Conference and progress until now; and Fighting Poverty with Roses in Rwanda. (Episode 39)
Week 18: Women on the Run. The famous Kenyan marathon runner Tegla Loroupe starts a peace race to help end armed conflicts in her poverty-stricken home area. The Kenyan politician Linah Kilimo, who herself ran from the knife, strives for the goal of putting an end to female genital mutilation. (Episode 40)
MDG Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health
Week 19: Fight for Life: Making Pregnancy Safer. This episode describes the attempt to improve maternal health in Moldova. (Episode 41)
Week 20: Fight for Life: Making Pregnancy Safer. This episode describes the attempt to improve maternal health in Bolivia. (Episode 42)
MDG Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases
Week 21: Malaria, Killer Number One. Africa’s Malaria Crisis. Ethiopia is among the places hardest hit by the disease. New cures, preventive action and massive intervention by the international community bring a glimmer of hope. Also: Fistula Advocacy Video. UNFPA brings awareness to this childbirth problem. (Episode 43)
Week 22: Research Capacity and Self-reliance in Developing Countries. The video explores needs and solutions to public health problems caused by neglected infectious diseases. Also: The Road Towards Universal Access. Reaching the MDG on HIV/AIDS requires far greater access to prevention, treatment, care and support than is currently available. Also: AIDS: For a Social Vaccine (ILO). (Episode 44)
MDG Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Stability
Week 23: Global Focus: The New Environmentalists. Features intimate portraits of seven dedicated individuals who have put themselves between government powers, corporate interests and other rivals on behalf of the Earth's well-being. Each compelling story takes place on a different continent. (Episode 45)
Week 24: Weather, Climate, Water in the Information Age About the World Meteorological Organization
Also: The other side of Paradise. About the December 2004 Tsunami and its impact; Grenada hurricane and impact; Sea Turtles in Barbados; Environmental Changes and impacts on islands. (Episode 46)
Week 25: Tomorrow's Catch. The video highlights FAO’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries
Also: The First Mile. This IFAD video looks an innovative two-year pilot project underway in Tanzania. Also, Inner Mongolia leads China in Wind Power Generation. (Episode 47)
MDG Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development
Week 26: Breaking Through. This film gives a glimpse of what microfinance means for millions throughout Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East, through the Grameen Foundation. Also: World Community Grid: IBM works with many partners to create the largest public computing grid benefiting humanity. Also, ITU backs ICTs to Aid Development. The International Telecommunications Union and information communications technology. (Episode 48)
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Going Global with the UN Videos available online
Going Global with the UN
The first season of our Going Global with the UN video series is up on streaming video, thanks to cooperation among UNA Westchester, the UNA Dallas Chapter and Richland Community College, part of the Dallas Community College system. Noeli Biggs (part of UNA Dallas and on staff at Richland Community College) plans to put up the second season starting in October. See http://www.rlc.dcccd.edu/modelun/videos.htm
This effort is made possible in part through a gift from an anonymous donor, which has enabled us to get permission from Smithsonian for use of their music, and from all collaborators who have permitted us to put their work on streaming video.
Going Global currently has 52 videos, with another eight in preparation in time for October's season on cable TV stations Westchester. Of the eight, five are from Bill Miller's excellent Global Connections series. Bill, with the UNA Kentucky Division, films these at the United Nations.
We would welcome your feedback on these videos as an educational and awareness tool. I hope you will take a little time to view some of them.
The videos are can be purchased from UNA Westchester. For information write to jinka.stillman@gmail.com.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
UN Millennium Development Goals
What can Westchester County do to help the UN and the world meet the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)?
These goals represent real people -- a hungry old man living in a shack, a child who has to work rather than go to school, a little girl who wants to learn to read but whose family can't afford school clothes and books, a baby dying of malnutrition, a mother of four who dies in childbirth, a teenager who has suffered from malaria all his life--and now has contracted HIV and tuberculosis. A community where the water supply has dried up, a rainforest, whose biodiversity is being sacrified for ranching. Over one billion people live on less than $1 a day and barely survive.
1. Learn about the goals:
Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education
Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
Goal 5: Improve maternal health
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development
For more information about targets and indicators -- and how we know whether we're meeting these goals, visit:
http://www.undp.org/mdg/basics.shtml
2. Interact with your Congressional representative and Senators and their staff members to bring the MDGs to their attention. Urge them to support funding for the United Nations to work on the MDGs. Congressional representatives who serve Westchester include Nita Lowey, Eliot Engel and John Hall. NY Senators are Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton. SEE THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POSTING.
3. Contribute to www.one.org; to UNICEF at www.unicefusa.org ; to the HERO project of UNA-USA (www.heroaction.org), which works to help educate children affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa and several other African countries; to www.savedarfur.org to urge immediate U.S. support for UN involvement in Darfur.
4. Post a comment to tell others what YOU are doing to help.
CONTACTING OFFICIALS:
http://www.house.gov/lowey/contact.htm
http://johnhall.house.gov/contact.shtml
http://engel.house.gov/index.cfm?SectionID=3&ParentID=0&SectionTypeID=5&SectionTree=3
http://clinton.senate.gov/contact/
http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/contact/contact.html
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